One of the larger projects to increase Southwest AirlinesThe biggest challenge at Lambert Airport is the renovation of the baggage claim area, which is estimated to cost $25 million.

Six years of development

The baggage claim renovation The project has been in the works since 2018 and has been delayed several times, first due to the airport’s privatization efforts and later due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the associated challenges.

According to airport insiders, the original plan was to add a third baggage carousel at Terminal 2 at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), but that was scrapped. However, the airline will continue to fund a scaled-down version of the project that is intended to reduce baggage congestion and improve the system. This new version will cost the airline $25 million.

Speaking to the St. Louis Business Journal, Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge said the St. Louis Airport Commission approved the scaled-down project on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

The airline will pay for the project in full, the city will St Louiswhich owns the terminal will retain ownership of the area and the upgrades that Southwest will pay to make possible. The changes will result in departing passengers’ checked baggage reaching the aircraft more quickly, improving overall efficiency.

Simple Flying has reached out to Southwest Airlines for comment.

Why was the scope of the project changed?

The airline’s original plan was to spend $60 million to modernize the entire baggage system, as well as new restrooms and a baggage service office. The city would have had to sell bonds to finance this project, which the airline would repay. However, this plan was changed because the new facility was only expected to be in operation for a few years before Terminal 2 was decommissioned.

As part of the airport’s long-term planning, the two terminals will be combined into one larger, converted terminal. The new terminal still requires final approvals and agreements from airlines operating at STL. Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed in 2032, six years later.

Hamm-Niebruegge explained to the airport commission why the airline decided to reduce the scope of the project:

“They just looked at it and said we’re not going to get the value of a system that’s going to be so short-lived.”

Construction on the project is expected to begin mid-next year and will last 18 months.

Many on the airport commission were disappointed that a third baggage carousel, which they had been waiting for for around six years, did not happen. Some have pondered what could have happened if the airline had started the project in 2018.

However, in 2018, the airport considered handing over its operations to a private company, a controversial proposal. Additionally, the airline did not feel comfortable making an investment over which it had no control and was therefore deferred.

Southwest’s presence at STL

Southwest is the largest airline at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Additionally, most flights will operate from Terminal Two, where the project was scheduled to take place. The airline also has the most traffic in Terminal 2.